Pathology of universities’ Preparedness Process to Establish Educational Accreditation of Medical Education Centers (A Qualitative Research)

Introduction: Pedagogical Accreditation of educational institutes and Hospitals is an approach to ensure and promote the quality of education in Medical Universities. Forthe purpose of establishment in the universities, however, there are prerequisites that needs to be met before implementation. The purpose of this study was to determine the pathology of Guilan University of Medical Sciences preparedness to establish Institutional accreditation in educational Institutes and Hospitals. Methods: Using qualitative approach and content analysis method this study was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 employees of Guilan University of Medical Sciences who were involved in the implementation of institution's accreditation. Similarly, purposeful sampling was useand continued until theoretical saturation. To analyze the data qualitative content analysis was used. Validity and reliability of data were confirmed and computed through Lincoln and Guba's reliability criteria. Results: Based on the interviews, two main components ofcultural background of the university with four subcomponents (i.e., organizational culture & atmosphere, individual culture of staffs, current attitude & motivation), and university structure with two subcomponents (i.e., organizational structure & resource allocation management) was identifiedas awkward pointsofthe university's readiness for establishing of educational accreditation of educational institutes and hospitals. Conclusion: By improving the culture and atmosphere of the organization, individual culture of the employees, current attitude and motivating the staff, as well as designing the organizational structure for the institution's accreditation and allocation of appropriate resources in the university it is possible to make preparations for establishing accreditation of educational institutions and hospitals and finally, guaranteeing and promoting the quality of education in the universities.